Antarctica Flashcards
Ecological Features
low temperatures
high seasonality
low precipitation
high aquatic biodiversity
Importance
contains large amounts of the earth’s fresh water
scientific exploration
albedo - reflects the sun’s rays
carbon sequestration
resources
Threats
overfishing
tourism
global warming
mining/resource extraction
General conservation
designations - world’s first MPA
waste management
tourism controls
the paris agreement
antarctic treaty
Conservation: The Paris Agreement
2015 - international treaty
adopted by 196 parties at the UN climate conference
limits temp increase to 1.5 degrees above pre industrial levels
take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Conservation: CCAMLR
commission for the conservation of antarctic marine living resources
1982 - 27 members
set of conservation measures that determine the use of marine resources
aims to preserve species diversity and stability of the marine ecosystem
restricts industrial fishing
Conservation: The Antarctic Treaty
signed 1959 by 12 nations –> now 52
meeting held annually
designations include: ASPA - antarctic specially protected area, ASMA - antarctic specially managed area, MPA - marine protected area
14 articles
Examples of the 14 articles in the Antarctic Treaty
no military use
complete freedom of scientific investigation
all territorial claims are to be put aside
ban on nuclear explosions and nuclear waste disposal
nations must exchange plans for scientific programmes
IUCN, population, threats
Species Case Study: Wandering Albatross
IUCN = vulnerable
population in South Georgia declining
threatened by longline fishing - tangled in line and drown
threatened by invasive mice on Gough Island
Species Case Study: Wandering Albatross - Conservation Methods
streamer lines - ropes with brightly coloured plastic streamers to create a fence
weighted lines - pulled below the surface of the water
Species Case Study: Wandering Albatross - Agreements
2004 - The International Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels
CCAMLR
